The Saints Look to Shrink the Field in 2015

this is a discussion within the Saints Community Forum; RB Marcus Murphy out of Mizzou was one of the highest ranked KR/PR in the draft. Murphy was a prolific returner during his college career. He averaged 29.6 per kick return and 10.4 per punt return his senior year. In ...

RB Marcus Murphy out of Mizzou was one of the highest ranked KR/PR in the draft. Murphy was a prolific returner during his college career. He averaged 29.6 per kick return and 10.4 per punt return his senior year. In comparison, the Saints averaged 25.9 yards per kick return and 7.1 per punt return last year, ranking them 30th and 31th in the league. Jalen Saunders joined the team during the latter half of the year and provided a spark in the return game. However, Saunders isn’t much more than a returner at this point in his career, registering 1 catch for 7 yards in two seasons.

Travaris Cadet was the primary kick returner the past three years but was mostly below average. The team tried Brandin Cooks at punt returner last year, but he never looked comfortable.

Murphy is a natural returner with fearlessness and vision. Murphy will never be a featured back he’s not a one trick pony. He’s a capable runner and even lines up in the slot. Murphy possesses excellent balance and is elusive, which makes him hard to bring down. C.J. Spiller has an injury history and he could fill in for Spiller in a pinch or rotate to save wear and tear on the former 1st rounder. If Murphy beats out Saunders as return specialist it would save a valuable roster spot elsewhere, which is huge because the team may have to keep 3 quarterbacks on the active roster this year.

I remember watching Marcus at Desoto High School (Dallas area school). Even then I thought he had above average vision. It will be interesting to see if he cracks the roster as a special teamer/return specialist.